Salem

Since starting, i have been avoiding everything but Rabbits and Crickets. I would see Beaver and Deer, and even bears everywhere. But would always avoid them. They were everywhere...

Then i get my skills up, put a Spanish Sabre in my hand, and charge into the Wild intending to carve up some beaver hide and rip out some Antlers...

But now I cant find beavers ANYWHERE!!!!

I still see the random Deer here and there, but they are still a bit too tough. Ive only ever killed one.

But beavers. I can kill them efficiently now. But now, I also cant find them.

Is there a particular area, besides just "by water" I should be looking for them?
Seems like Crickets have taken over the World now that I have Spanish Sabre in hand....

shallow waters, it's really random, sometimes you go a long time without seeing them, then the other day I found 3 groups close together

It's easier to find them when navigating, since you go faster.

The new Canoe is great for exploring water

I dont have the Seamanship skill yet, but its well within reach. Maybe its my new priority.

Not sure if you need seamanship to make a canoe, can anyone confirm?

You dont. I actually had Canoe making before I had seamanship. Just got Seamandship and it added "rowboats" and a bunch of fish food.

Cant remember which skill actually gave me canoes now...

I've also seen beavers in coniferous nowhere near water. I think they're a rare spawn in that biome.